Cyclospora Symptoms And Treatment Guide: These days, the infection of a microscopic parasite named Cyclospora is spreading rapidly in America. The situation is such that an infected woman had to go to the toilet about 30 times a day. This infection has increased the concern of health experts due to persistent diarrhea, dehydration and hospitalization. This year, Cyclospora cases in America have surpassed the record of 2019.
How dangerous is this disease?
According to hepatologist, clinical scientist and public health researcher Dr. Cyriac AB Phillips, Cyclospora infection is often confused with common food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis. But its biggest identity is that this disease does not end in a few days. While normal food poisoning gets cured in 1 to 3 days and viral infection in 2 to 3 days, Cyclospora can bother for several weeks and the patient can fall ill again even after recovering.
What are its symptoms?
Dr. Phillips explains that it is a protozoa, i.e. a micro-organism with cells, which keeps growing inside the body. Its symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, gas formation and prolonged fatigue. However, vomiting is not the main symptom of this disease and there is neither blood nor pus in the stool.
How is it treated?
This infection is also different in terms of treatment. Common antibiotics such as metronidazole, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and norfloxacin often do not work. Whereas on giving co-trimoxazole medicine, rapid improvement is seen in the patients. If a person continues to have watery diarrhea without blood for more than two weeks, doctors recommend getting tested for Cyclospora. It is not identified by normal stool test, rather a special test has to be done for it.
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When was it first identified?
Cyclospora cayetanensis was first identified in humans in 1979 and received its official name in 1994. In 2023, research by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that at least three different types can spread infection in humans. This parasite grows hidden in the lining of the small intestine, due to which the body is not able to absorb nutrients properly and even after diarrhea stops, the problem of weakness and weight loss persists for a long time.
What is the situation in India?
There is not much data available on the cases of this infection in India. However, in a 2025 study by ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Disease, Kolkata, this infection was found in about 2 percent of diarrhea patients in Eastern India. In July and August, this figure reached 7 percent, while the infection was found highest in children aged 5 to 12 years. This parasite spreads through contaminated irrigation water, raw vegetables, leafy greens and fruits. Its outer layer is so strong that even chlorine cannot destroy it easily.
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